The implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the European Union was the topic for discussion during a meeting between the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis.

The Head of the Ukrainian Government stressed that Ukraine's economic integration with the EU is gaining new momentum, in particular in the context of discussing the revision of the objectives of the Association Agreement and further trade liberalization.

"I believe that the first round of talks on further abolition of customs tariffs in bilateral trade in accordance with the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU will take place in September," said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Head of Government, the dialogue between Ukraine and the EU on the conclusion of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) has also gained momentum. Denys Shmyhal thanked Valdis Dombrovskis for his support in these issues.

In addition, Denys Shmyhal touched upon the issue of increasing the quota of permits for Ukrainian carriers for the current and next years.

"I hope the European Commission will help make a final decision on increasing permit quotas. After all, this is an essential issue for Ukrainian medium-sized businesses," the Head of Government noted.

For his part, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responded that in the process of the implementation of the DCFTA, trade between the EU and Ukraine had grown by almost 50%, and Ukraine had become one of the EU's key trading partners.

"Our Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement means that its potential benefits go beyond just trade liberalization. Increasingly aligning Ukraine’s regulatory framework to that of the EU can boost bilateral trade and boost Ukraine’s global competitiveness," Valdis Dombrovskis said.

He reaffirmed that Ukraine is a strategic partner of the EU and that the Association Agreement and the DCFTA are drivers of further development of relations between Ukraine and the EU.